"Nigel Cliffe" wrote in message
...
Sorry to be vague about what sort of bushes, but I'm really a veg-growing
person and know next to nothing about flowers and shrubs.

I have two bushes in the garden, been there since I came here over 10
years
ago, and were well established then. So, guess at 15 years old,
approximately the age of the house.

Both bushes are showing serious dead bits, which appear to be spreading.
Photographs at:
http://nigelcliffe.photobook.org.uk/c468319.html

I assume I should cut my losses and dig them up. This is not necessarily a
bad thing as a re-planning of the area they dominate is long overdue. The
real question is whether its a disease which will remain in the soil, and
if
that limits what I should consider as replacement plantings.


Bush 1 used to be approximately hemispherical, and had much lusher glossy
leaves. It would flower with small white flowers. First showed some small
dead areas around two years ago, and these were cut out in the hope that
things would grow back.
Bush 2 is less well shaped, varigated leaves. Showing dead bits on one
side
recently.

The ground is heavy clay. House in Suffolk, so winter tends to be mild.
Die
back is not on the same side on each; so I doubt its a wind effect.


A couple of years ago, someone on this newsgroup diagnosed "Holly leaf
blight, caused by infection with Phytophtora illis bacteria" on a small
holly plant. That plant was removed and destroyed, and the other hollies
are
fine. These two bushes are more than 20 feet from where the problem holly
was located, though on the main route into the garden, so the infected
holly
would have passed them on its way to the fire.

Hi Nigel,

The first bush is Choysia ternata (Mexican orange blossom), I doubt very
much that it's a disease that's killed it, more likely lack of light, water
or just old age. I had one about the same size as yours, it had a large tree
branch fall on it, killing one side, I cut out the dead bit, but it looked
lopsided for a so long that I decided to take it out. It looks like yours
has outgrown the position that it's in, so I'd suggest taking it out and
replacing it with something smaller.

The second bush is Eleagnus pungens 'Maculata', again I'd suggest that it's
lack of light, water or old age that's killed some of the branches, rather
than disease. Just cut out the dead branches. I've got one of a similar
size, it does get branches and leaves that try to revert to the native
green, I take these out on a regular basis without causing any problems to
the rest of the shrub.

If you are going to keep them or dig them out, I'd suggest applying plenty
of compost/mulch to the soil.

HTH.

Cheers

Nick
http://www.ukgardening.co.uk